Category: News & Views

February is African American History Month

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society as part of African American History Month.

African American History month is a wonderful celebration of the contributions that African Americans have made to American history and culture. Below are some resources to help educators integrate African American history into the curriculum not only in the month of February but on a regular basis. Check out thoughts by UNC School of Education and Teaching Tolerance.

Other resources related to African American History Month:

For more information contact Joe Schmidt, Social Studies Specialist, Maine Department of Education at (207) 624-6828 or joe.schmidt@maine.gov.

 

Maine Mathematics Coaching Project: Grant funded tuition support for cohort 4 applicants

The Maine Mathematics Coaching Project at the University of Maine at Farmington is offering a special opportunity to new math coaching candidates who apply and are accepted to Cohort 4 by March 15, 2018.

These students will receive $2500 of their first year membership paid for through the DOE Mathematics Science Partnership Grant.

In order to qualify for these one-time, limited funds, interested parties must complete the Maine Mathematics Coaching Project assurances and application by March 15th. Applications and assurances received after March 15, 2018 will be responsible for the full $6000 first year membership.

For more information please contact Sandra MacArthur at sandra.macarthur@maine.edu

 

New Protocol for Requesting a Change in English Learner Identification

If a student has been identified by a school in Maine as an English learner (EL) but a teacher, school administrator, parent/guardian, or the student himself/herself (over the age of 18) believes this identification to be incorrect, a request for change in identification may be made.

To initiate this request, a letter or email (in any language) must be submitted to the student’s district superintendent. If the superintendent approves the request, the superintendent will complete a Request for Change in EL Identification.

A request for change in identification form must be submitted within 90 days of enrollment*. The final decision will be made by the EL identification review committee at the Maine Department of Education within two weeks of receipt of the request. The superintendent is responsible for informing the student’s parent/guardian of the Department’s final decision in the parent’s/guardian’s preferred language and format, written or oral. Oral notifications must be followed by written notice. The Department’s decision may be appealed in light of additional evidence.

Please note that students who were properly identified as ELs and have not yet reached the Maine DOE’s definition of English language proficiency (a composite proficiency level of 5.0 on ACCESS for ELLs) are not eligible for a change in EL identification.

*Note: All English learners are required to be identified within 30 days of enrollment from the beginning of the school year or within two weeks of enrollment during the school year. Requests made after the 90-day window has passed due to extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For SY 2017-18 only, requests for change in EL identification may be submitted regardless of time since enrollment.

If you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact April Perkins, ESOL Specialist, at april.perkins@maine.gov or (207)624-6627.

Annual English Teacher’s Conference at Point Lookout

The Maine Council of English Language Arts and Maine DOE announce the annual spring conference on Friday, March 23. Maria Padian, a three-time winner of both the Maine Literary Award for young people’s literature, and the Maine Library Association’s Lupine Award honor, is the keynote speaker. Padian’s works include Out of Nowhere, a story which follows soccer captain Tom Bouchard as he develops an understanding of the Somali refugee students who join his team in the fictional but recognizable town of Enniston, Maine. 

The conference will feature three opportunities for attendees to choose from a variety of timely topics for professional learning. Effective use of data, developing pre-assessments, enhancing writing skills through authentic tasks, and teaching through dialogue are just a few of the choices available.

Space is limited so early registration is recommended. Visit the Maine Council of English Language Arts 2018 Conference website to learn more and view the full conference agenda. Online registration is available and encouraged.

MEDIA RELEASE: Organizations needed to feed hungry children this summer

AUGUSTA — With the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Maine public schools have long offered a nutritious breakfast and lunch meal program to thousands of income eligible children in Maine during the school year. To extend this program, the Child Nutrition team at the Maine Department of Education (Maine DOE) is seeking organizations who would like to participate in the federally funded Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which provides children healthy meals when school is not in session.

“It is imperative that we continue expanding this tremendous program to ensure that children have the benefit of free and healthy meals from the program all year long, no matter where they live in our state,” said Maine Education Commissioner Robert G. Hasson, Jr.

In 2017, 120 sponsors participated in the program, serving meals at 438 sites throughout the state. Although the program continues to grow in Maine, there is still a long way to go towards feeding all eligible children during the summer. Community partners are working to maximize the number of sponsors utilizing the availability of funds under the SFSP.

The Summer Food Service Program may be offered statewide in areas or at sites where more than 50 percent of the children are eligible for free or reduced meal benefits under the National School Lunch Program or census track data supports the need. Organizations that provide services in rural communities or near migrant farm workers and American Indian populations are urged to participate. Eligible sponsoring organizations include schools, nonprofit residential summer camps, government agencies, and tax-exempt organizations including faith-based organizations.

Maine DOE encourages any eligible organization to consider providing this much-needed service to Maine children. The agency will begin accepting applications to participate in February. Approved sponsors will be reimbursed for eligible meals served to children during the long summer break.

Interested organizations should begin planning now for a successful summer. Potential sponsors are required to attend training sessions. For a complete schedule of trainings, please visit http://www.maine.gov/doe/nutrition/resources/events.html. Maine DOE is available to attend meetings or consult by phone and email to answer questions regarding summer meals.   For more information about the Maine DOE’s Summer Food Service Program, contact adriane.ackroyd@maine.gov, call 624-6726 or visit http://www.maine.gov/doe/nutrition/programs/sfsp/index.html.

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In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the Agency ere they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, heard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. In accordance with State law this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs)

To file a complaint of discrimination, write Maine Human Rights Commission, 51 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0051. Maine is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Free Training, Technical Assistance, Equipment and Materials for Public Preschool Programs

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has received a grant from the US Education Department to support public preschool teachers, special educators, principals and special education directors on providing high quality classroom environments and inclusion practices for 4 year-olds.

Thr program is being offered through Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network (MRTQ PDN) a University of Maine System partnership between University of Southern Maine (USM) and University of Maine (UMaine) that includes the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (CCIDS) which has expertise in providing training and technical assistance on inclusionary practices.

Maine Roads to Quality and Maine’s Early Childhood Professional Development Network will contract with Maine DOE to provide online training and technical assistance to 3 cohorts of 15 participants each, representing both rural and urban regions of the state.

This project will serve as a pilot to help Maine DOE gather information on what schools need to best support all preschool age children including those with special needs and disabilities.

Upon completion of training and technical assistance, each public preschool classroom teacher who has participated will receive $3000 in mini-grants for materials and supplies to support high quality preschool inclusionary environments.

Schools or districts must participate in teams that include a public preschool teacher(s) and administrators.  The purpose  of team participation is to ensure consistent understanding and application of the course content so that high quality inclusive practices will be supported and sustained.  Both teachers and administrators will receive certificates of contact hours which support certification renewal and/or local professional development requirements.

For more information view the application document or contact Sue Reed at Susan.D.Reed@maine.gov.

Administrative Letter: Guidance for suspension, expulsion and modified schedules in public preschool programs

Administrative Letter: 12
Policy Code: JKD
To: Public School Administrators
From: Robert G. Hasson, Jr., Ed. D. Commissioner
Date: January 18, 2018
Subject: Guidance for suspension, expulsion and modified schedules in public preschool programs

This guidance is offered by the Maine Department of Education to clarify suspension, expulsion, and modified schedules as they apply to 4-year-olds attending public preschool programs.

Suspension, Expulsion, and Modified Schedules in General Education

Suspension for up to 10 days of 4-year-olds attending public preschool programs is permitted only in accordance with 20-A M.R.S. § 1001(9).

As with their K-12 counterparts, 4-year-olds attending public preschool may not be unenrolled nor asked not to return without being afforded the due process standard for expulsion in accordance with 20-A M.R.S. §1001(8-A).

Districts cannot unilaterally determine that a child attend on a modified schedule-e.g. reduced school day, reduced school week.  Parents must be involved in and agree to this decision and understand thoroughly the reasons for the request.

Suspension and Expulsion for Children with Disabilities

In accordance with Federal and State law, a child may not be excluded from enrollment in a public preschool program based solely on the presence of a disability.  Enrolled children who are referred to Child Development Services (CDS) based on program concerns regarding the child’s development or behavior must be considered a child with a disability and afforded the same rights as his/her K-12 counterparts until the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team makes its determinations.

Please contact Sue Reed, Early Childhood Specialist at 624-6632 or susan.d.reed@maine.gov or Jan Breton, State Director of Special Services, Birth – 20, Janice.breton@maine.gov 624-6676 with questions or comments about the guidance.

Certificates and Fingerprint Clearance Cards are now paperless

Certificates and Fingerprint Clearance Cards will now be available in a paperless form through the NEO Portal. As part of the streamline process for launching the new online certification system and to promote a more secure environment with less manual process and excess paper, certificates and fingerprint clearance cards will no longer be mailed to applicants.

Applicants and school districts can visit the NEO portal to confirm and check the status of credentials. Additionally, applicants can log in and print their status if necessary.

Here is a direct link to the NEO Portal where status can be checked. This page can also be accessed from the Certification webpage under, “What is my Status”, the “Check Application Status” link on the Certification home page, or on the “Authority, Forms and FAQs” page.

If you have questions regarding this change in process or recent enhancements to the website, please contact Stephanie Fyfe, Education Team Coordinator at stephanie.fyfe@maine.gov

MEA Science and eMPowerME – Large Print and Paper Order Requests Due 1/26/18

If a student cannot take the MEA Mathematics and ELA/Literacy (grades 3-8) assessment online and needs a paper-version (regular size print or large print) due to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or special accommodations such as a 504 plan or other specific reasons, requests must be made individually using the following forms:

  • eMPowerME LP Paper Version Request 2018
  • eMPowerME regular print Paper Version Request 2018

The MEA Science (grades 5, 8, 3rd year high school) is a regular size print/paper test. If a student requires this assessment in large print due to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or special accommodations such as a 504 plan or other specific reasons, requests must be made individually using the following form:

  • Science LP Paper Version Request 2018

Individual requests for different versions of either assessment are due to DOE by Friday January 26, 2018. Requests must be sent via SECURE EMAIL to Nancy Godfrey nancy.godfrey@maine.gov. Requests are reviewed by the DOE Assessment Team and approved or denied with an email confirmation.

For more information or questions contact Nancy Godfrey, Assessment Coordinator for the Maine Department of Education at Nancy.godfrey@maine.gov or 207-624-6775.

School Health Profile Survey

The Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC), conducts the School Health Profile (SHP) Survey for principals and lead health education teachers every two years.

A packet with a letter explaining the details of the survey and the surveys will be mailed on Friday, January 19, 2018 to K-8, Middle, Junior, and/or High School Principals. There are two surveys for each school to be filled out and returned to Pan Atlantic Research separately: 1) the Principal Survey and, 2) the Lead Health Education Teacher Survey. Please read a sample letter for further details.

Your participation and support in carrying out this survey is greatly appreciated as it is vital to the improvement of health related policies and practices in Maine’s schools and ultimately the health of students.

For further information, please contact Jean Zimmerman, Health Education and Physical Education Consultant, at the Maine Department of Education at 624-6687 or jean.zimmerman@maine.gov or Gregory McHugh at Pan Atlantic Research, 221-8877 ext.106 or gmchugh@panatlanticresearch.com.